Over 1,000 people have registered for the 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames in March in Wellington, New Zealand, with new sign-ups flowing in strongly.

Participants to date are coming from New Zealand, Australia, the United States of America, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, India, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and more.

“What is great is that support is strong right across the Outgames, for the Human Rights Conference as well as the 16 sports competitions,” says Co-chair Virginia Hopkins-Burns.

Organisers say they are very pleased that over 45 percent of registrations have come from women. Large international events typically involve a much large proportion of men than women.

The event will be officially opened on March 12 by the Governor-General of New Zealand, representing New Zealand’s head of state, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Opening Ceremony takes place in Te Papa, a striking modern building that houses the national museum and large art gallery spaces on the Wellington waterfront.

The Ceremony begins with a traditional Maori welcome and concludes with refreshments being provided for all participants. (Providing food for guests is an important Maori tradition.)

Registrations for the Outgames will be open until February 26, but a late entry fee of NZ$25 will be applied after 6 February.

The 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames is 8 days of sports competition, a human rights conference, a major arts and culture festival, and social events and parties in Wellington, New Zealand, 12-19 March 2011. Information is available, and registrations can be made, on the website www.welllingtonoutgames.com